Ryan D. Mims interview

AUTHOR INTERVIEW

When did your love of books begin?

It began in third grade when my teacher used to read to us after recess.  She was an excellent reader. Over the course of the year, she read The Chronicles of Prydain, A Wrinkle in Time, and Pippi Longstocking.

When did you start to have the wish to become an author?

I have always loved telling stories.  When I was a freshman in college I tried to sit down and write my first novel.  I have made several more attempts since then, but did not succeed until A Midnight Train to Everywhere which I released in August of this year.  I am currently on pace to finish and release my next book around August of next year.  Maybe I can go back an revisit some of my previous attempts at writing a novel when in the future.

How have you found the process for becoming an author?

It was cathartic.  My first completed novel came in the midst of COVID-19 and discusses the pandemic and loss of life that I felt during that time.  The support I have received from family, friends, co-workers, and the writing community online has encouraged me to continue my work.  I am hoping to produce at least one book a year for the foreseeable future. 

What would you say to those wanting to become an author?

Make yourself time to write, and commit to it the same way a person commits to working out at the gym.  If you set up a regularly scheduled time to focus on your work you will be productive.

Tell us about your book/books:

My first book is A Midnight Train to Everywhere.  It is about a man who is recruited to help lost souls move beyond their lives by listening to them and helping them board the mystical train that runs through his dreams.  The character is a bit of a social worker for the dead up until he has to confront some of the tragedies from his own past.  At that point, the story turns into an adventure and a quest to rescue a childhood friend's soul from a sect of evil witches.  My book contains several stories inside the main story that I think help flesh out the world and develops the main character. 

I have started a draft for a sequel, but I also am about 1/2 through a novel about a vampire that I think I will get finished first.

What do you love about the writing/reading community?

I am grateful for how much the writing/reading community is willing to encourage and help their fellow writers.  It is nice to be in a community where people aren't always competing against each other and can just sit back and enjoy and share awesome stories.

Where can people connect with you?

I am on just about every form of social media.  You can follow me at @ryanroomims on Instagram.  @RyanDMims on Twitter. @ryanroomims on TikTok. A Midnight Train to Everywhere and Other Stories on Facebook.

My book can be found at https://books2read.com/b/47YOpa or your favorite online stores.

A little bonus piece - 

Below are paintings I made when trying to develop my book cover.  I ultimately chose the water color painting.